A state delegation of economic development officials recently had the opportunity to learn more about Vicksburg and what Warren County has to offer.

The Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership hosted the state and executive team of the Mississippi Development Authority for what local officials described as a “vision and familiarization tour” of Vicksburg and Warren County, allowing the MDA officials to spend a day and a half in in the city, where they enjoyed dinner at Anchuca, visited historic sites, gained more insight into the strategic plan developed by the VWEDP, and learned in detail about the strategic assets that differentiate Warren County from the pack in terms of economic development.

“MDA was able to see firsthand the phenomenal progress we’ve made in our community in terms of growth and economic development,” Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., said. “The collaboration and commitment from all entities in the city of Vicksburg have significantly contributed to our success.”

Learning about Vicksburg

The delegation, which included Mike McGreevy, deputy director of MDA, and Jamie Miller, deputy director of Governmental Affairs and Chief Innovation Officer, spent half a day at ERDC and met with representatives of numerous laboratories.

They learned from the Chamber of Commerce and EDF about the tech transfer initiatives being developed by the community (including the Hardware Building Innovation Project), and were treated to amazing performances by the Warren School District teachers and students at the 2018 convocation ceremony.

“The delegation learned that in Vicksburg and Warren County all entities are aligned to support economic and workforce development,” Pablo Diaz, president and CEO of The Partnership, said. “Representatives were witness to the unique alignment that exists between the K-12 education system, the community college, the business community, and the economic development offices in Warren County.”

Diaz said the state officials realized Vicksburg has much to offer than they had imagined and there is much in the community that can help them sell Mississippi go global investors.

“You can’t just get up and replicate ERDC. You can’t just replicate access to the Mississippi River, combined with a Class I railroad,” Diaz said. “And you can’t easily find communities that are as organized for economic development as we have become.”

Diaz said the MDA officials were left with the message that Vicksburg and Warren County are strong in assets and will no longer sit on the sidelines.

“We will play; we will play hard, and we will win,” Diaz said.